Board Report – December 2012

Thanks to our guest Andrea Henderson of the Oregon Community College Association, and Government and Community Relations Director Brett Rowlett, for taking us through state legislative issues during the work session.

Here on campus, we hosted Chief Education Officer Rudy Crew on November 16.  After meeting with some of you on the board, he toured campus, including our High School Connections program, and held a forum with faculty and staff to discuss issues ranging from OEIB to achievement compacts. It's safe to say it was a lively discussion.  Dr. Crew discussed the possibility of tweaking achievement compacts and developing regional education goals, acknowledging that what may work in Portland and the valley may not be what works for coastal communities. Thank you to all who attended and to Dr. Crew for his visit.

We also hosted State Representative Nancy Nathanson on November 28.  She toured our career and technical programs as well as High School Connections. Thanks to Advanced Technologies Division Dean Pat O'Connor and all the staff who helped with the visit.

I would like to congratulate Deb Landforce of Women in Transition, and Melissa Stark of Music, Dance and Theater Arts, for winning Faculty Recognition Awards for fall term. Students submit the nominations. Thanks to Dean Larry Scott for coordinating this awards program.

We have again increased our overall recycling rate at the college by 1 percent over last year. Total waste has gone down by 20 percent, from 586 tons to 471 tons. While this is due in part to the slowing down of bond projects, it's also due to conservation efforts across the college, including the paperless work order system used by Facilities. Kudos to recycling coordinator Mike Sims, to Facilities, and to everyone who recycles.

Downtown Campus activity has kept us busy.

We have transitioned to Campus Advantage as our new housing manager. Their specific expertise should serve us well. They are already marketing for next fall. 

Downtown staff are preparing to move and attended an orientation last week on several issues such as how to live in a LEED Platinum building; evacuation and safety; accessibility; IT issues; parking; and other topics. They start moving December 7 and will continue over the next two weeks, possibly longer. They will commemorate the move on Friday, January 4, by forming a human chain and passing a piece of Downtown Center carpet hand-to-hand to place in a time capsule that will be buried at the new site. Kudos to Jenette Kane for coordinating the downtown move.

The academic building opens to students on the first day of winter term, January 7.

Finally, we have set March 15 as the date for our grand opening celebration.

We are holding interviews and open forums with Executive Dean candidates this week. We have seven candidates. As you know, Andrea and Don are staying on through the end of the year to help with the transition and we are grateful to them for that support.  Thank you to the search committee for all their work.

Marketing has purchased gymnasium and outdoor signage in every area high school that offers an advertising program, including Sheldon, South Eugene, Cottage Grove, Thurston, Marist, Churchill and Springfield. We're using the message, "Student Success Starts Here!"

Once again, thanks to the Culinary Arts and Hospitality program and other Lane volunteers for putting on the annual Whiteaker Community Thanksgiving Dinner. I'm sure you saw the stories in The Register-Guard and on TV. I don't think the community or media could even have Thanksgiving without our students and staff.

The annual Pow Wow was held last Saturday and was well attended.  Thank you to our CML staff, Barbara Delansky and the many volunteers.  It was great event.

Finally a reminder that the college will be closed for winter break from December 24 through January 1. Have a safe and happy holiday.